Too gloomy a picture

Dear Editor,

As I read the comments from Mr. Batty on the purposed City/County Public Safety Center/Jail, I was disappointed that he painted such a gloomy picture of the future of McCook, thankfully our forefathers didn't and my guess is his father didn't have that picture either.

I happen to consider my glass is always half full, not half empty.

I think McCook and surrounding communities have a bright future, one that will encourage growth, wealth and a community that we will be proud of 20 years from now. Yes, the consultants predicted a decline in population over the next 20 years, but things can change and I believe they will. With people like Rex Nelson NEDC director, Home Town Competitiveness headed by Mark Graff, just to name a couple, and citizens on boards I sit on, there is no doubt in my mind that McCook/surrounding area is going to grow.

The reasons for building the 30-bed facility compared to a 15-bed facility were; No. 1 the drug problems are on the rise and predicted to increase (meth, LSD, mushrooms, ecstasy, and prescription drugs), No. 2, the aging and potential closing of facilities that we are housing our prisoners in now, and No. 3 with immigration laws changing and our state prisons becoming full, it would be to our benefit in the consultants view to plan for the future not to build for the present.

Obviously Mr. Batty you must have misunderstood the data you studied on the web site. Mr. Bowker is respected in law enforcement by numerous entities and individuals. With 38 years of experience, honors and a resume second to none the information he put together I believe to be fact.

As to the site of the potential facility, I would like to make it clear that the site recommended in the proposal is just that -- a proposal. There is a process that needs to take place in order for a government entity to declare eminent domain on a piece of property. We as a Board of Commissioners have the right if we see that there is a need for it, in this case there may be a need.

Mr. Batty I appreciate your concerns and questions but I think McCook and Red Willow County has a GREAT future. I know I want to be part of it along with a lot of other (glass half full citizens) so if you want your glass half empty I suggest you return to Grand Lake.

We need people who have positive attitudes about the future and want a community for their children and grand children to grow up in and return to.

Thank You

Leigh Hoyt

Red Willow County

Commissioner